Perth's cereal offender fined

Perth's cereal offender fined

WA drivers are among the most distracted in the country, with more than one-third admitting risky behaviours such as eating takeaway food behind the wheel.

A survey by online consumer group finder.com.au has found drivers in WA and Victoria took the most risks, with 64 per cent confessing to potentially dangerous behaviours while driving, while those from NSW and South Australia were the safest.

The survey of more than 1800 drivers across Australia found the most common dangerous driving habits of West Australians were eating takeaway food (38 per cent), driving in thongs (37 per cent) and reaching into the back of the car to deal with children (20 per cent).

Nationwide, almost one in three drivers said they wore thongs while driving, but WA had the highest proportion compared with just 29 per cent of NSW and Victorian drivers.

The survey found WA drivers were among the highest users of mobile phones, with 18 per cent admitting texting and driving and 14 per cent using their hands to answer a phone call.

Around 12 per cent of WA motorists who responded to the survey said they had smoked on the road and the same proportion have driven with their knees.

Incredibly, 3 per cent owned up to watching a movie while driving, 4 per cent applied make-up while in charge of a car, 7 per cent changed their clothes and 9 per cent used social media.

The website’s insurance spokeswoman, Bessie Hassan, said motorists who were in an accident and found to have been driving recklessly or engaging in risky behaviour behind the wheel may not be able to claim the damage on their insurance.

“Many of us have probably been guilty of doing at least one of these before, but we shouldn’t be sacrificing our safety for convenience,” she said.

“While eating or smoking behind the wheel may not seem too dangerous, the reality is that these are distractions that can cause drivers to look away from the road.”